Materials Needed:

Measure Boat for Framing

Turn rowboat upside down, and use measuring tape to determine measurements of the bottom of the boat. A frame will be placed here to secure the boat in place, keeping it from tipping over while in use.

Measuring Shaped Piece of Wood With Tape Measure

Step 1: Measure Boat for Framing
Turn rowboat upside down, then use measuring tape to determine measurements of the bottom of the boat. This is where a frame will be placed to secure the boat in place, keeping it from tipping over.

Mark and Cut Frame

Measure and cut pressure-treated 2x4s to create a simple box frame that measures approximately 1-2 inches smaller than the bottom of the boat. First use measuring tape and a pencil to mark to proper dimensions, then cut to size with a chop saw.

Measuring and Marking Piece of Wood

A tape measure and pencil are used to accurately measure and mark a small piece of wood.

Assemble Frame

Screw all four corners of the box together using a drill and 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws.

Rowboat Sandbox Step 3

Are you looking to build a unique sandbox? This rowboat sandbox offers step-by-step instructions on how to create a fun sandbox for your backyard.

Trace Box to Bottom of Boat

With the boat facing bottom-side-up, lay the box frame on the center top of the boat, tracing the outside and inside of the box directly onto the boat exterior.

Trace Box to Bottom of Boat

With the boat facing bottom-side-up, lay the box frame on the center top of the boat, tracing the outside and inside of the box directly onto the boat exterior.

Drill Holes to Secure Frame

Remove the frame and drill holes through the bottom of the boat in the center of the outlined marks using a 1/8-inch drill bit.

Drill Holes for the Frame

In step 5, remove the frame and drill holes through the bottom of the boat, using the outlined marks as a guide.

Create Spikes for Base Support

Measure and mark a 45-degree angle 4 inches down a piece of 2x4 pressure-treated wood using measuring tape, a pencil and speed square (Image 1). Use a chop saw set to a 45-degree angle configuration to create proper shape needed for a spike (Image 2). Repeat three times for a total of four spikes.

Measuring and Marking a Piece of Wood

A ruler and a pencil are used to measure and mark a piece of wood.

Cut Wood to Create Spikes

Use chop saw set to 45-degree angle configuration to create proper shape needed for a spike. Repeat 3 times for a total of 4 spikes.

Secure Base Into Ground

Secure one spike in each of the four corners of the box frame using 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws (Image 1). Turn the frame over so the spikes are facing downward, and hammer each of them into the ground (Image 2). Slide the boat on top of the frame, lining up the original trace marks (Image 3). Drill 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws into the holes inside the boat.

Secure Spikes into Frames

Using exterior coated wood screws, secure one spike into each of the four corners of the box frame.

Secure the Sandbox Frame

In this step, secure the sandbox frame to the ground by turning the frame over so that the spikes face downward, then hammer the spikes into the ground.

Line Up the Boat and the Frame

Slide the boat on top of the frame, lining up the original trace marks. Drill 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws into the holes inside the boat.

Waterproof Bottom of Boat

Drill holes through the bottom of the boat for water drainage using a 1/2-inch drill bit (Image 1). Spray the bottom of the boat with Plasti Dip sealant to prevent moisture-induced decay and deterioration (Image 2).

Drill Drainage Holes

Using a drill bit, drill holes through the bottom of the rowboat sandbox for water drainage.

Step 12: Waterproof Bottom of Boat

Spray the bottom of the boat with plasti-dip sealant to prevent moisture-induced decay and deterioration.

Add Finishing Touches

Cover the bottom of the boat with burlap fabric to prevent sand from washing out of the drainage holes (Image 1). Fill the boat with sand to desired height (Image 2).

Spreading Out Burlap Sack

Step 13: Add Burlap
Cover the bottom of the boat with burlap fabric to prevent sand from washing out of the drainage holes.